Community people: Sheri Shirley and Kara WilsonTHE COURIER / Submitted Sheri Shirley (left) and Kara Wilson (center) from the Oakland Heights Step Program came to the meeting to accept a $1,200 donation for the program, and tell the Kiwanians a little about the Step Program.

Reprinted from a 1974 edition of the Democrat CourierReprinted from a 1974 edition of the Democrat Courier. Classroom Grocery -- As part of their classroom work, the second grade class of Mrs. Arnold Thorson at Oakland Heights Elementary School transformed one corner of their room into a grocery store set up. The class earlier toured a local grocery store. The children did their own pricing of items in the "store" while learning the fundamentals of change return and billing. Students are (from l...

Community people: Park Lane Fashion Directors and Mandi GeelsTHE COURIER / Submitted Park Lane Fashion Directors present a check in the amount of $675 to Mandi Geels of River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children after a Sparkle for Strength fundraising event. Portions of the proceeds were made possible through Burris Inc., Mary's Kitchen, Harps and Holiday Inn Express.

Community people: The Sequoyah retireesThe Sequoyah retirees met for lunch recently. This tradition began about 25 years ago. It has grown to over 50 since then. Several of the original Sequoyah teachers from the opening of the elementary school in 1968 are still with the group. This year a group of the retirees wore the "pink shirts for Pam" in memory of Pam Mathis, whose first teaching job in Russellville was at Sequoyah. THE COURIER / Submitted

Community people: Jock Davis, Aaron Duvall and Harvey YoungTHE COURIER / Submitted Jock Davis met with the Kiwanis Club in honor of Veterans Day and made a presentation about his time in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. Pictured are Jock Davis (left), with Kiwanians Aaron DuVall (center) and Harvey Young.

Community people: Kristin Foster, Matt Stephens, Dana GannTHE COURIER / Submitted Kristin Foster, president of The River Valley Food 4 Kids, was presented a check for $1,937 from the Russellville Kiwanis Club. The money was raised from the Kiwanis wishing wells around town and from donations from Kiwanians at each Wednesday's meeting. The check was presented by club President Matt Stephens and Vice President Dana Gann. This brings the total donations to Food 4 Kids to over $4,500.

Community people: Dr. Michael Escue and wife Ashley EscueTHE COURIER / Submitted Dr. Michael Escue and his wife Ashley Escue are presented a donation for The CALL, an organization that works with local churches to assemble a support team of volunteers to train and assist foster and adoptive families.

Community people: Wesley White and Wendy SparksTHE COURIER / Submitted Speaking to the Russellville Downtown Rotary Club is Wendy Sparks of The Center for The Arts. Sparks talked about upcoming events including an appearance by Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore', who will speak at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. With Sparks is Rotarian Wesley White.

Toys for Tots begins Nov. 19This year, Toys for Tots is getting a different kind of attention from Russellville. Local organizations Central Arkansas Advertising, Arkansas River Valley Heating and Air, Fraternal Order of Eagles No.m 3928 and the Lake Dardanelle Marine Corps League 1310, the local detachment, have come together to sponsor this event and gather toys for this year's drive. "The reason I get involved in Toys for Tots is I believe it's a heart for kids, espec...

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BY SIERRA MURPHYmurphy@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Miracle at the Starlite MotelACTS (Actors for Christ through Theater and Song), the theater company at the ATU Wesley Foundation, will present "Miracle at the Starlite Motel" dinner theatre on Nov. 10-12. The play, written by director Ruth Richison, will feature a cast of 19 characters, all played by ATU/Wesley students. Set in New Mexico in the 1970s in a small roadside motel, a retired couple from Brooklyn struggle to keep afloat. Having very few past guests, they hang ...

Community people: DAVTHE COURIER / Submitted The Panthers and their staff at Arkansas Trading and Loan on East 4th Street in Russellville recently held a Patriot Day Sale, raising funds in support of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). A check for $1,600 was presented to the DAV Commander from the saleâ€â ˘s proceeds. The DAV supports various programs in the community to assist the needs of veterans.

Angel Tree kickoffTHE COURIER / Emily Srader The Arkansas Tech College Panhellenic Council teamed up with The Salvation Army to take part in the Angel Tree kick off program Tuesday evening. Members of the greek organizations, Zeta Tau Alpha, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu and Alpha Sigma Tau had a meeting in the Caraway Hall lobby on the Arkansas Tech University campus and picked up their angels from the tree.

Plans finalized for holiday shopping eventThe Boys & Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley and the volunteer committee of Mistletoe Market is making final plans for the 9th annual Mistletoe Market -- Shop for a Cause -- set for Friday and Saturday Nov. 4 and 5, at the L.V. Williamson Boys & Girls Club, located at 600 E. 16th Street, in Russellville. The holiday shopping event will offer an array of merchants' gift items under one roof - with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Clu...